The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-09

Baldine and other Tales is the title of
Lord Lytton's volume of translations from
the German of Karl Erdmann, and comprises
beside the romance which gives name to the
collection, two others, Notre Dame DIES Flots,
and Grossglockner Mountain. There is a
sympathetic and rich quality in these stories,
deep, sorrowful, but by no means pessi-
mistic philosophy of life, which differentiate
them from much of German fiction. The
character of Baldine is wrought out logically.
from the time, when little child playing in
the woods by pool, she finds that her doll is
stuffed with sawdust and she wishes to bury
1t, her rubber ball is filled with air and she tries
to drown it, to the later years when nothing
bus gratitude is left, and that dormant, in her
disallusioned mind, to be at last awakened
by the goodness of her husband Notre
Dame des Flots is tragic story that has
something in it not alien to Victor Hugo's
Famine. The story of Grassglockner Noun.
tain is also sad one, but here the tragedy
is delicate and elegiac, little languid as be.
fits blighted romance of high life. Baron
Lytton's preface is critical and suggestive,
and the comparison which he makes of the
sadness of Erdler's writings as compared
with that of Leopard De Musset and Byron
is admirable and effective. Since the eve
has right to its enjoyments, as well as the
mind, a word shall be said in praise of the
exquisite taste OF the binding of this little
volume, at the same time simple and dainty
New York: Harper & Brothers; Portland
Loring, Short 81 Harmony
The Jesuit's Ring, by A. A. Hayes, is q
story which combines very happily the charm
time and surroundings. The prologue re-
lates the adventures of the Jesuit priest
Gilbert Du Thet, who before he set forth in
quest of the mystic city of Norumbega, re
ceived as gift from noble lady ring con-
tanning Sardius believed to have come from
the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, and, in
scribed with Eastern letters signifying Hope
and Faith, to have the virtue of bringing its
wearer whatever he most desired. The good
priest died in the strange land, and not Nor
umbega, but the Heavenly City was present
to his closing eyes. Then the ring was lost,
and the modern story begins in the year
1SS-, among the gaictes of Mt. Desert, and
proves to be bright and agreeable novel.
A very good sketch is the young journalist
in search Of the last item; and blackboard
rlde with the relative highway robbery,
which made stir few years since, is clev
erly utilized. Among these lively and every
day hgures moves young man whose mys-
tic, unearthly mind turns with feverish
eagerness to the legend of the Jesuit's Ring.
How 1t was found ana the disposition made
OF it shall be left for the novel to tell in its
own way. Perhaps one of the pretty fash
ions of next summer at Mt Desert will be
the insertion of photographs of the natural
and acquired scenery of the place in order to
complete this volume, which will become a
classic of Bar Harbor. Boston Ticknor q
Co; Portland: Loring, Short &lHarmon.)
Although fiction, in theory and practice
has to-day occupied the column of the re-
viewer, the approach of Easter Day suggests
the mention Of one of the choice gifts pre-
pared for this festival-Mrs IA. d. T. Whit
ney's volume of verses, which bears the name
and color of Daffodils. Nothing more bright,
fresh and joyous can be imagined in the way
of bookmaking than the gold-colored covers,
with the gold stem of a daffodil against a
panel of white. Mrs. Whitney's verse is
always inspired by the best intention; and
the tender and cheerful religious quality Of
her writings commends them to SO large and
worthy circle of readers that no special liter
airy criticism is called for. The simple
grace of The Deacons Little Maid deserves
distinct word of appreciation. Boston
Houghton, Miffiin & Co.; Portland: Loring,
Short s. Harmony